Crafting Compo
Compo Shopping Center 403-431 Post road East Westport CT
Frederick William Hoag Architect was asked to provide a new facade design for this Westport fixture which is presently under construction. Built in 1957 it is one of the earliest “strip centers “ in Westport CT fronting the Post road thoroughfare. As with all commercial renovations the cost had to be justified by potential gains in revenue. The sheer length of this well-worn facade demanded a disciplined approach to accomplish a realistic budget while regulatory challenges made change close to impossible.
The existing architecture exudes a playful mid-century vibe with sweeping fascias and inclined facades, retro forms, and language to be celebrated within a contemporary architectural skin. The existing sloped cornice seems to put the whole building façade in motion, emulating the automobiles traveling the Boston Post road. We found this simple architectural gesture incredibly compelling, conjuring up Norman Rockwell-like images of happy American families shopping before whisking off in their Chris✩Craft on the Long Island sound It seemed obvious for the proposed design to embrace this feeling hence we took inspiration from that classic American Speed boat
By applying finishes as a rain screen we were able to maintain the existing weather tightness of the building allowing us an entirely new presence to the post road
